Key points

Leptospirosis is easy to catch from an infected animal and its environment.

Infection can occur through breaks in the skin or through mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth.

Protect yourself, your family and staff by vaccinating your animals, controlling rodents, practicing good personal hygiene, using protective equipment, and seeking help early if you feel unwell.

What is leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease transmitted from animals to humans (a zoonosis), and from animal to animal, through cuts or cracks in the skin or through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth. It is present in almost all warm-blooded mammals, including farm, domestic and feral animals.

Leptospirosis spreads easily, and is caused by bacteria known as leptospires that multiply in the kidneys of animals and are shed in the urine. The bacteria thrive in moist or wet conditions and can survive for months.

How are people infected?

People can catch leptospirosis from infected animal urine. Even a splash or fine spray of urine or indirect contact with urine-contaminated water can spread large numbers of leptospires.

Cuts, sores and skin grazes increase the risk of infection, as does licking your lips and eating or smoking before washing and drying your hands.

All animals processed for meat in New Zealand (abattoir and home-kill) can pass on the disease.

What are the symptoms in people?

People affected by leptospirosis, either mildly or severely, may not show symptoms.

Infection may just feel like a bad case of the flu, with headaches and fever. Severe cases can result in permanent complications, usually kidney or liver damage. Some people may be unable to work for months and in severe cases, be unable to return to work at all. The disease can keep coming back.

Pregnant women can miscarry. Death from infection is rare.

Who is at risk of infection?

Anyone working in and around the meat plant or slaughtering animals at home is at risk, including:

slaughter-floor workers

meat inspectors

offal workers and butchers

vets

stock truck drivers

maintenance workers and other visitors

moving stock into stunning boxes

stunning and pelting

hosing down yards or other areas

tumbling pig carcasses

working at the beginning of the chain (eg when the fleece is still on)

gutting and taking out the bladder

working with kidneys

handling wool, hides or pelts.

Factors that increase the risk of exposure to infected urine include:

high-speed, high-volume work

skin cuts (common for people working with knives)

animals with full bladders1

working below the carcass on the beef slaughter floor.

Awareness

Clearly display information that leptospirosis may be a risk in the work area. Make sure new workers and anyone else who will be in close contact with animals, are aware of the risks and what to do before entering the work area.

Meat workers may also work with animals outside their workplace, or do their own home- kill, without the level of controls processing plants have. Make sure workers are aware of the risks.

PPE

Treat all animals as if they are infected – wear full protection in high-risk areas.

Wear clean, appropriate PPE.

Suitable PPE includes overalls; aprons; sturdy, waterproof footwear; eye or face protection; hats; gloves (the rate of leptospirosis in the meat industry has fallen since double-gloving was introduced)2.

Change gloves or boots immediately if they split or leak.

PPE effectiveness can depend on:

the size of animal being processed

the plant temperature, e.g. a meat processing plant may cause face protection gear to fog up; therefore, goggles should be used rather than a full-face mask

the type of work the processor does, e.g. a beef slaughter man carries out a range of tasks that present various risks, requiring different PPE.

Offal room workers should wear face protection, as the risk of infection is higher when handling organs. Double-gloving is recommended.

Hygiene

Personal hygiene is good additional protection.

Wash your hands regularly, using water, soap, and disinfectant – especially after using the toilet, and before eating, drinking, smoking, or taking a break. Wash your face if you have facial hair.

Animal status declaration (ASD) form

The Animal Status Declaration (ASD) form is a standardised form used to transfer key information about animals to the next person in charge of them. All groups taking charge of stock, including meat processing companies, must receive an ASD form from the previous person in charge.

The form provides key information, including:

TB questions

food safety questions

market access questions3.

Watching your health

The sooner treatment starts, the better.

First aid

A readily available supply of clean water is important.

Look after your health. As soon as there is exposure to urine or infection is suspected:

dry off urine splash immediately (leptospires dry out easily), then wash the area

wash hands and face well, taking particular care with facial hair

use soap and water, and dry well

flush out your mouth and eyes, and any exposed skin with lots of running water

wash out fresh or old cuts and grazes with water and disinfectant, and dry well

tell a supervisor.

Primary care treatment

See a doctor within 24 hours of suspected exposure or if flu-like symptoms develop, to get antibiotic treatment and have a blood sample taken.

Tell the doctor that leptospirosis may be the cause of your illness – some doctors may not be familiar with the symptoms.

Treatment options will depend on the severity and duration of the symptoms. Antibiotic treatment should be given if leptospirosis infection is strongly suspected.

The blood sample MUST be taken before medication is taken – a subsequent sample may be needed 3-4 weeks later.

All patients with severe infection or signs of meningitis should be sent to hospital immediately.

Related information

This guidance contains comprehensive advice for managing and preventing the transfer of leptospirosis from animals to humans. It includes specific information for medical providers, meat processing workers and farmers working with a range of animals and animal products.